Four Nations 2009 | The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/four-nations-2009
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Beaten but not broken: let's look on the bright side of England's 30-point thrashing | Andy Wilsonhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/nov/17/england-australia-four-nations-rugby-league
Despite the overwhelming superiority of Australia in the Four Nations, English rugby league has plenty to be proud of and to look forward to next season<p>Is it possible to be uplifted after a 30-point drubbing? Doubtless there will be plenty out there who prefer the hand-wringing, when-are-we-ever-going-to-catch-the-Aussies style adopted in Sky's post-match analysis following the Gillette Four Nations final, and others will talk of a willingness to celebrate gallant defeat epitomising the problems of British rugby league, and sport in general.</p><p>But I thought the game at Elland Road was bloody brilliant. England played with passion and adventure to have the Aussies genuinely worried when Sam Burgess scored his second barnstorming try in the 50th minute. At that point, there really did seem to be an outside chance that we were going to witness something truly momentous.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/nov/17/england-australia-four-nations-rugby-league">Continue reading...</a>Four NationsEngland rugby league teamAustralia rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Australia sportTue, 17 Nov 2009 13:53:55 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/nov/17/england-australia-four-nations-rugby-leaguePhotograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty ImagesThe brilliant Johnathan Thurston was one several Australians who demonstrated their superiority over English counterparts. Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty ImagesThe brilliant Johnathan Thurston was one several Australians who demonstrated their superiority over English counterparts. Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty ImagesAndy Wilson2009-11-17T13:53:55ZGillette Four Nations final: England 16-46 Australiahttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/15/four-nations-final-australia-england
England 16-46 Australia<p>Despite the lopsided final scoreline this was arguably the most exciting and exacting challenge a British team has presented to Australia in a series-deciding match since the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1974.</p><p>England took the lead for the third time in the 50th minute with a second thrilling try for the Souths-bound forward Sam Burgess, and were still in there fighting at 22-16 down when an outrageous piece of skill by the brilliant Melbourne Storm full-back Billy Slater set up the hooker Cameron Smith for the first of four Australian tries in the final 13 minutes.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/15/four-nations-final-australia-england">Continue reading...</a>Four NationsEngland rugby league teamAustralia rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Australia sportSun, 15 Nov 2009 15:37:56 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/15/four-nations-final-australia-englandPhotograph: Ed Sykes/Action ImagesJames Roby is tackled by two Australians as he tries to offload during the Four Nations final at Elland Road. Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action ImagesPhotograph: Ed Sykes/Action ImagesJames Roby is tackled by two Australians as he tries to offload during the Four Nations final at Elland Road. Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action ImagesAndy Wilson at Elland Road2009-11-15T15:37:56ZRFL looks south for successor as England coach Tony Smith stands downhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/15/tony-smith-england-rugby-league
• Smith made decision before <a href="http://http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/nov/14/four-nations-england-australia" title="Four Nations final defeat">Four Nations final defeat</a><br />• Successor will coach England at 2013 home World Cup<p>The Rugby Football League has begun the search for a new England coach that will stretch well beyond the Super League to the southern hemisphere, and even rugby union, after Australia ended Tony Smith's three-year spell in charge of the national team with an ultimately dazzling victory that showed the new man's task will be huge but not hopeless.</p><p>Smith announced his resignation this morning but had informed the RFL before the Gillette Four Nations series began. He had discovered since returning to club coaching with Warrington last March that it was impossible to combine the two jobs with anything approaching a normal family life in his farmhouse on the outskirts of Huddersfield – <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/06/tony-smith-england-new-zealand" title="as suggested in last Saturday's Guardian">as suggested in last Saturday's Guardian</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/15/tony-smith-england-rugby-league">Continue reading...</a>Rugby leagueEngland rugby league teamFour NationsSportFour Nations 2009Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:10:10 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/15/tony-smith-england-rugby-leaguePhotograph: Michael Regan/Getty ImagesTony Smith made his decision to stand down before the Four Nations. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Michael Regan/Getty ImagesTony Smith made his decision to stand down before the Four Nations. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty ImagesAndy Wilson2009-11-15T10:10:10ZRugby League Four Nations: England 16-46 Australiahttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/14/four-nations-england-australia
England 16-46 Australia<p>Australia continued their dominance over British rugby league with victory in the inaugural Four Nations final. For 60 minutes this was a real contest, a full-blooded encounter, full of thundering tackles and moments of real skill and vision, but in the final quarter the Kangaroos once again showed what a wonderfully gifted side they are.</p><p>They scored 24 points in a blistering 12 minutes of sublime rugby to knock the stuffing out of a home side who had competed manfully, but were ultimately outclassed. As long as Australia can call on far more players who play in a competition that is several levels above Super League, it is hard to see where a series win for England is going to come.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/14/four-nations-england-australia">Continue reading...</a>Four NationsEngland rugby league teamAustralia rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Australia sportSat, 14 Nov 2009 22:30:53 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/14/four-nations-england-australiaPhotograph: Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesBilly Slater dives over the line for his second try during the Four Nations Grand Final. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesBilly Slater dives over the line for his second try during the Four Nations Grand Final. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty ImagesDavid Lawrenson at Elland Road2009-11-14T22:30:53ZEngland half-backs relish tilt at Kangaroo 'legend' on his farewellhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/13/four-nations-england-australia
• Young half-backs are key to home victory hopes<br />• Australia's captain wins 50th cap in Elland Road final<p>Darren Lockyer could be excused for feeling his age when he represents Australia on an English pitch for what he admits will almost certainly be the last time tomorrow night. Sam Tomkins and Kyle Eastmond, the fresh-faced England half-backs who will face the Kangaroo stand-off and captain in the Gillette Four Nations final, had just turned eight when Lockyer made his British bow in green and gold in 1997.</p><p>"He's a legend, isn't he?" Tomkins says of his opposite number, who is now 32 and will win his 50th cap at Elland Road. "You never know whether you're going to get the chance to play against him – Lockyer's not going to be playing for too much longer, so I've seen it as a bonus."</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/13/four-nations-england-australia">Continue reading...</a>Four NationsEngland rugby league teamAustralia rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Australia sportFri, 13 Nov 2009 16:38:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/13/four-nations-england-australiaPhotograph: Ed Sykes/Action ImagesSam Tomkins was a landslide winner of the Super League young player of the year. Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action ImagesPhotograph: Ed Sykes/Action ImagesSam Tomkins was a landslide winner of the Super League young player of the year. Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action ImagesAndy Wilson2009-11-13T16:38:00ZTony Smith sticks to his young guns and names unchanged England teamhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/12/tony-smith-england-four-nations-australia
• Sam Tomkins and Kyle Eastmond retained at half-back<br />• Australia say forecast rain will not affect them<p>Tony Smith has named an unchanged team for the first time in 16 matches as an international coach, giving the same 17 players who earned England's place in Saturday's Gillette Four Nations final the chance to make history against Australia at Elland Road with British rugby league's greatest achievement for 37 years.</p><p>Smith held open the possibility of making late switches to his starting XIII, as he did before last weekend's win against New Zealand when Sam Burgess was promoted from the interchange bench and Kevin Sinfield moved from loose forward to replace James Roby at hooker. But he will definitely be sticking with Sam Tomkins and Kyle Eastmond at half-back, and Chris Bridge and Peter Fox on the right, two new combinations that showed real promise against the Kiwis.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/12/tony-smith-england-four-nations-australia">Continue reading...</a>England rugby league teamFour NationsAustralia rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Australia sportThu, 12 Nov 2009 18:22:42 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/12/tony-smith-england-four-nations-australiaPhotograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PAKyle Eastmond has been retained at scrum-half in Tony Smith's England team for the Four Nations final. Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PAPhotograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PAKyle Eastmond has been retained at scrum-half in Tony Smith's England team for the Four Nations final. Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PAAndy Wilson2009-11-12T18:22:42ZEngland unchanged for Saturday's Four Nations decider with Australiahttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/12/england-australia-decider-four-nations
• Team that beat New Zealand retained for Elland Road<br />• Tomkins and Eastmond remain starting half-backs<p>England have named an unchanged team for Saturday's Four Nations final against Australia, keeping faith with the side that beat New Zealand 20‑12 to reach the Elland Road decider.</p><p>That means retaining the 20-year-olds Sam Tomkins and Kyle Eastmond at half-back and the Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield as the starting hooker, which enables Tony Smith to go in with four specialist props in his 13.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/12/england-australia-decider-four-nations">Continue reading...</a>England rugby league teamFour NationsAustralia rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Australia sportThu, 12 Nov 2009 13:31:37 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/12/england-australia-decider-four-nationsPhotograph: Scott Heppell/APEngland's Kevin Sinfield, right, is tackled by Thomas Leuluai, of New Zealand, during their 20-12 Four Nations victory. Photograph: Scott Heppell/APPhotograph: Scott Heppell/APEngland's Kevin Sinfield, right, is tackled by Thomas Leuluai, of New Zealand, during their 20-12 Four Nations victory. Photograph: Scott Heppell/APGuardian Staff2009-11-12T13:31:37ZAustralia dig in after New Zealander referee gets Four Nations finalhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/11/australia-england-four-nations-referee
• Australians call for Shayne Hayne to act as observer<br />• New Zealand's Leon Williamson placed in charge<p>Australia have reacted to the decision to place New Zealand's Leon Williamson in charge of Saturday's Four Nations final by requesting that their choice for the match, Shayne Hayne, act as an observer in the video referee's box. Williamson's appointment ended days of stalemate, with England preferring the Englishman Steve Ganson to take charge of the final and Australia refusing to move from their preference for Hayne.</p><p>The matter was complicated further when the third judge on the panel, the New Zealander Ian Mackintosh, voted for Williamson to take charge despite the fact he is part-time and does not officiate in either the Super League or the NRL in Australia. The 40-year-old Williamson has his own plumbing business in Auckland, though he did take charge of Australia's 42-4 victory over France in Paris on Saturday.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/11/australia-england-four-nations-referee">Continue reading...</a>Four NationsEngland rugby league teamAustralia rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Australia sportWed, 11 Nov 2009 17:39:24 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/11/australia-england-four-nations-refereePhotograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarAustralia take on England again on Saturday in the Four Nations Final. Photograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarPhotograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarAustralia take on England again on Saturday in the Four Nations Final. Photograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarGareth Walker2009-11-11T17:39:24ZBobbie Goulding facing investigation after incident at ceremonyhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/11/bobbie-goulding-france-coach-job-threat
• Incident occurred at Player of the Year awards<br />• Case against Australian referee for final dubbed 'garbage'<p>Bobbie Goulding's future as the France coach could be threatened by an International Federation investigation into his behaviour at the Player of the Year awards ceremony in Leeds on Monday night.</p><p>The former Great Britain scrum-half, who was a shock appointment by the French Federation in March given his lack of coaching experience and a record of off‑field misdemeanours, was involved in an incident with several officials and other guests at the function, and at one stage had to be pulled away from an Australian journalist by his driver and Olivier Elima, the France captain. The Rugby Football League confirmed last night that "the incidents are being investigated". When contacted last night Goulding denied any knowledge of the incident. "Nothing happened - nothing at all," he said.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/11/bobbie-goulding-france-coach-job-threat">Continue reading...</a>France rugby league teamFour NationsEngland rugby league teamAustralia rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Australia sportWed, 11 Nov 2009 00:10:03 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/11/bobbie-goulding-france-coach-job-threatPhotograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty ImagesTim Sheens wants his fellow Australian Shayne Hayne to referee the Four Nations final. Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty ImagesTim Sheens wants his fellow Australian Shayne Hayne to referee the Four Nations final. Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty ImagesAndy Wilson2009-11-11T00:10:03ZAustralia plan to rattle England's young half-backs in Four Nations finalhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/09/england-kyle-eastmond-sam-tomkins
• 20-year-olds Kyle Eastmond and Sam Tomkins will be targeted<br />• England expect young duo to handle extra pressure<p>England have reacted calmly to an unsubtle Australian warning that their 20-year-old half-backs Kyle Eastmond and Sam Tomkins will be targeted for special treatment in Saturday's Gillette Four Nations final.</p><p>The youngsters combined impressively in their first match together, the 20-12 victory over New Zealand that took England to the final. But when asked about the difficulties of preparing to face two relatively unknown quantities, the Kangaroos coach, Tim Sheens, said: "It's a new combination for England, too. We'll certainly have to put that combination under a bit of pressure and see how it works then."</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/09/england-kyle-eastmond-sam-tomkins">Continue reading...</a>Four NationsEngland rugby league teamAustralia rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Australia sportMon, 09 Nov 2009 22:30:01 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/09/england-kyle-eastmond-sam-tomkinsPhotograph: Paul Thomas/Action ImagesEorl Crabtree was praised by Australia stalwart Petero Civoniceva ahead of Saturday's Four Nations final. Photograph: Paul Thomas/Action ImagesPhotograph: Paul Thomas/Action ImagesEorl Crabtree was praised by Australia stalwart Petero Civoniceva ahead of Saturday's Four Nations final. Photograph: Paul Thomas/Action ImagesAndy Wilson2009-11-09T22:30:01ZEngland and Australia ponder changes ahead of Four Nations finalhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/09/england-australia-four-nations
• Sheens likely to drop hat-trick hero Jennings<br />• England enthused by form of Sinfield<p>The Australia coach, Tim Sheens, is set to tinker with his team to play England in Saturday's Gillette Four Nations final but there is unlikely to be a place for the youngster Michael Jennings, despite scoring a hat-trick of tries against France.</p><p>The 21-year-old Penrith Panthers centre scored three of his side's eight tries on debut in the Kangaroos' 42-4 rout of France on Saturday to put pressure on Brisbane Broncos' Justin Hodges, who was rested for the match in Paris.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/09/england-australia-four-nations">Continue reading...</a>Four NationsEngland rugby league teamAustralia rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Australia sportMon, 09 Nov 2009 15:00:21 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/09/england-australia-four-nationsPhotograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesMichael Jennings powers towards the line for Australia's first try against France. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesMichael Jennings powers towards the line for Australia's first try against France. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesGuardian Staff2009-11-09T15:00:21ZAustralia can wait – let's bask in the glow of an England victory for oncehttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/nov/09/england-rugby-league-four-nations
After the misery of last year's World Cup, I want to linger lovingly over every detail of an England win against New Zealand<p>No sooner had England beaten New Zealand on Saturday night, than the victorious players were inevitably being asked about the prospects for playing Australia in the Gillette Four Nations final. But I'm not really in the mood for looking ahead to Australia – yet.</p><p>After the misery of last year's World Cup, I want to linger lovingly over every detail of an England win against New Zealand: Kyle Eastmond's adorable little try; Kevin Sinfield's admirable combination of skill, fitness and toughness; Sam Tomkins' kick for Peter Fox; Gareth Ellis's awesome defence; James Graham's courage in taking the battle to the huge Kiwi forwards; Ryan Hall and Michael Shenton's increasingly promising left-wing combination.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/nov/09/england-rugby-league-four-nations">Continue reading...</a>England rugby league teamFour NationsNew Zealand rugby leagueAustralia rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Australia sportMon, 09 Nov 2009 14:53:30 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/nov/09/england-rugby-league-four-nationsPhotograph: Ed Sykes/Action ImagesEngland celebrate the opening try against New Zealand from Kyle Eastmond (centre). Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action ImagesPhotograph: Ed Sykes/Action ImagesEngland celebrate the opening try against New Zealand from Kyle Eastmond (centre). Photograph: Ed Sykes/Action ImagesAndy Wilson2009-11-09T14:53:30ZFour Nations: England 20-12 New Zealandhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/08/four-nations-england-new-zealand
England 20-12 New Zealand<p><strong> </strong></p><p>Adrian Morley says there will be no repeat of the over-confidence that set up Great Britain for an embarrassing fall five years ago as England prepare for next Saturday's Gillette Four Nations final against Australia. Morley, Danny McGuire and the captain Jamie Peacock are the three survivors from the Tri-Nations final of 2004, when Britain were regarded by some as favourites having beaten the Kangaroos in a qualifying match – only to be torn to shreds by Darren Lockyer's wizardry.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/08/four-nations-england-new-zealand">Continue reading...</a>Four NationsEngland rugby league teamNew Zealand rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:32:28 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/08/four-nations-england-new-zealandPhotograph: Scott Heppell/APEngland's Kevin Sinfield is tackled by Thomas Leuluai, of New Zealand, during their Four Nations match at the Galpharm Stadium. Photograph: Scott Heppell/APPhotograph: Scott Heppell/APEngland's Kevin Sinfield is tackled by Thomas Leuluai, of New Zealand, during their Four Nations match at the Galpharm Stadium. Photograph: Scott Heppell/APAndy Wilson at Galpharm Stadium2009-11-08T18:32:28ZEngland's Steve Ganson expected to be named referee for Four Nations finalhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/08/four-nations-final-england-australia-referee
• Ganson is right man for the job, says referees controller<br />• Kangaroos want Shayne Hayne to take charge of showpiece<p>England are set to win the first battle ahead of Saturday's Four Nations final against Australia with the likely appointment of a home referee. Steve Ganson has perplexed and occasionally infuriated the Kangaroos in controlling their first two matches of the series against New Zealand at the Stoop and England in Wigan, where he sent the scrum-half Johnathan Thurston to the sin-bin, and their coach, Tim Sheens, is understood to have expressed a preference for Shayne Hayne, the tournament's only Australian referee, to be appointed for the final.</p><p>But the referees controller for the Rugby Football League, Stuart Cummings, who is also in charge of match officials for the Four Nations, revealed today that he would be arguing strongly that Ganson should be appointed ahead of Hayne partly because Hayne is not used to refereeing matches by himself as a result of the Australian authorities' decision to appoint two referees for all games in the National Rugby League last season.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/08/four-nations-final-england-australia-referee">Continue reading...</a>Four NationsEngland rugby league teamAustralia rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Australia sportSun, 08 Nov 2009 16:39:17 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/08/four-nations-final-england-australia-refereePhotograph: Matt King/Getty ImagesSteve Ganson is not Australia's favourite referee, but is expected to be in charge when the Kangaroos face England in the Four Nations final. Photograph: Matt King/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Matt King/Getty ImagesSteve Ganson is not Australia's favourite referee, but is expected to be in charge when the Kangaroos face England in the Four Nations final. Photograph: Matt King/Getty ImagesAndy Wilson2009-11-08T16:39:17ZRugby League Four Nations: England 20-12 New Zealandhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/07/four-nations-england-new-zealand
England 20-12 New Zealand<p>England turned in a heroic performance to overcome a tough New Zealand side and set up a meeting with Australia in next Saturday's Four Nations final at Elland Road. Against a very physical Kiwi outfit, they stood toe to toe and slugged it out and when the scoring opportunities came they grabbed them.</p><p>Tony Smith's team of talented youngsters mixed with a few old heads gelled perfectly. They defended magnificently with great heart and commitment, and this victory over the World Champions will go some way to erasing the bad memories of England's World Cup campaign. The England coach, who made some bold selections at the start of the campaign and was not afraid to ring the changes after last week's defeat, found he had been vindicated. He recognised the significance of the win over the Kiwis, saying: "It's a real shot in the arm for the game in the northern hemisphere and a shot in the arm for Super League. The southern hemisphere are always favourites in our sport and to beat them to the final is a feat in itself, but we're not quite satisfied with that just yet."</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/07/four-nations-england-new-zealand">Continue reading...</a>Four NationsEngland rugby league teamNew Zealand rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Sat, 07 Nov 2009 20:20:47 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/07/four-nations-england-new-zealandPhotograph: Warren Little/Getty ImagesPeter Fox scores a try for England. Photograph: Warren Little/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Warren Little/Getty ImagesPeter Fox scores a try for England. Photograph: Warren Little/Getty ImagesDavid Lawrenson at the Galpharm Stadium2009-11-07T20:20:47ZMichael Jennings leads Australia into Four Nations finalhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/07/france-australia-four-nations-paris
France 4-42 Australia<p>Michael Jennings scored a hat-trick on his international debut as Australia turned on the style in Paris to secure their place in the Gillette Four Nations final next Saturday at Elland Road. Josh Morris, Australia's other debutant, scored twice – while his twin brother, Brett, also grabbed two to take his total to four in three appearances – as the Kangaroos, who led 8-0 at half-time, cut loose after the break.</p><p>France were once more competitive in the first half – but after conceding 30 points in the second half to England and 46 to New Zealand, they again faded badly.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/07/france-australia-four-nations-paris">Continue reading...</a>Four NationsFrance rugby league teamAustralia rugby leagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Australia sportSat, 07 Nov 2009 16:48:13 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/07/france-australia-four-nations-parisPhotograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesMichael Jennings powers towards the line for Australia's first try against France. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesPhotograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesMichael Jennings powers towards the line for Australia's first try against France. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty ImagesGuardian Staff2009-11-07T16:48:13ZEngland's coach is looking to the future with his selection to face New Zealandhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/06/tony-smith-england-new-zealand
Coach is working hard to ensure tomorrow's meeting with New Zealand will not be his last in charge of his adopted country<p>Tony Smith has never come across as a carefree gambler, but the England coach has been astonishingly bold in selecting a pair of 20-year-old half-backs for tomorrow's crucial Gillette Four Nations game against New Zealand in which a second consecutive defeat would almost certainly end his stint as the national coach.</p><p>Sam Tomkins and Kyle Eastmond have four Test caps between them, and neither of them was even first choice for their club sides at the start of the season. Yet they hold the key to Smith's hopes of a victory that would secure a place in next Saturday's Four Nations final against Australia, and allow the naturalised British citizen either to continue with England or, more likely, bow out to concentrate on his club job at Warrington on something of a high.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/06/tony-smith-england-new-zealand">Continue reading...</a>England rugby league teamFour NationsRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:03:14 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/06/tony-smith-england-new-zealandPhotograph: Martin Rickett/PATony Smith has combined his role as England coach with the job at Warrington. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PAPhotograph: Martin Rickett/PATony Smith has combined his role as England coach with the job at Warrington. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PAAndy Wilson2009-11-06T21:03:14ZTony Smith wields the axe on England's suspect defencehttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/05/england-new-zealand-four-nations
• Chris Bridge is given chance for New Zealand match<br />• 20-year-olds Tomkins and Eastmond form half-back pairing<p>Tony Smith has axed the entire right-side defence that was so ruthlessly exposed in the first half of England's 26-16 defeat by Australia last Saturday, and turned instead to a centre whose only previous international experience came with Ireland, for a Gillette Four Nations game against New Zealand that he concedes could be his last as the national coach.</p><p>Chris Bridge, a 25-year-old Warrington utility back who played a key role in Ireland's qualification for last autumn's World Cup only to miss the tournament itself because of an achilles injury, will make his England debut on Saturday having informed Smith of his change of allegiance less than two months ago.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/05/england-new-zealand-four-nations">Continue reading...</a>England rugby league teamNew Zealand rugby leagueFour NationsRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:16:00 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/05/england-new-zealand-four-nationsPhotograph: Martin Rickett/PATony Smith has made changes to his starting line-up in what could be his last game as Engalnd coach. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PAPhotograph: Martin Rickett/PATony Smith has made changes to his starting line-up in what could be his last game as Engalnd coach. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PAAndy Wilson2009-11-05T17:16:00ZEngland drop Danny McGuire for must-win New Zealand gamehttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/05/danny-mcguire-england-new-zealand
• McGuire jeered by fans in Australia defeat<br />• Kyle Eastmond to partner Sam Tomkins at half-back<p>The England coach, Tony Smith, has dropped Danny McGuire for the Gillette Four Nations match against New Zealand at the Galpharm Stadium on Saturday. McGuire was jeered by sections of the supporters during the defeat against Australia last weekend and has now does not even make the bench for what is a must-win game.</p><p>Smith had supported McGuire earlier in the week but also admitted that his half-back partnership with Sam Tomkins had left something to be desired. "They had some moments of good combination, and others where they weren't so good. Individually they tried their cotton socks off so they're in there with a chance again this week," he said.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/05/danny-mcguire-england-new-zealand">Continue reading...</a>England rugby league teamNew Zealand rugby leagueFour NationsRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:22:12 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/05/danny-mcguire-england-new-zealandPhotograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarDanny McGuire struggled against Australia and was substituted after 73 minutes. Photograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarPhotograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarDanny McGuire struggled against Australia and was substituted after 73 minutes. Photograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarGuardian Staff2009-11-05T14:22:12ZLay off England – southern hemisphere sides are a class apart | Andy Wilsonhttps://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/nov/05/england-rugby-league-australia-new-zealand
The ultra-competitive National Rugby League gives Australia and New Zealand the edge<p>British rugby league can be so depressing. As if the general parochialism and apathy that made even Wigan's DW Stadium too big for a sell-out for England's game against Australia last Saturday were not damning enough, a loud minority of those who did turn up booed the team off at half-time, and then <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/nov/02/four-nations-england-australia" title="cheered the substitution of Danny McGuire">cheered the substitution of Danny McGuire</a> in the closing stages.</p><p>Sure, England didn't play well in that first half, and McGuire had an afternoon to forget. But it's about time those jeering supporters, and the game in general in this country, took a reality check. All recent evidence would suggest that Australia – and New Zealand – are operating on a different level, because their players' skills are honed in the ultra-competitive National Rugby League.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/nov/05/england-rugby-league-australia-new-zealand">Continue reading...</a>Four NationsEngland rugby league teamAustralia rugby leagueNew Zealand rugby leagueSuper LeagueRugby leagueSportFour Nations 2009Australia sportThu, 05 Nov 2009 11:17:35 GMThttp://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2009/nov/05/england-rugby-league-australia-new-zealandPhotograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarDanny McGuire's substitution was booed by a vocal minority of the crowd at the DW Stadium during England's 16-26 defeat to Australia last Saturday. Photograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarPhotograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarDanny McGuire's substitution was booed by a vocal minority of the crowd at the DW Stadium during England's 16-26 defeat to Australia last Saturday. Photograph: Michael Mayhew/Sportsphoto/Sportsphoto Ltd./AllstarAndy Wilson2009-11-05T11:17:35Z